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Religion in Voltaire

            Religion was a means to achieve something for everyone, while countless were abused and used because of their religious motives; religious figures instead took advantage of their power and acted against others making it more like a monarchy. The King and all the heads of families did as they wished and did not mind wasting money on many luxuries without thinking of their people, they "sing solemn canticles of thanksgiving every morning, accompanied by five or six thousand musicians." Also El Dorado lords lied about their actions and principles. People there believed there was no need for prisons or courts because they lived in a trance of continual gratitude. They thought that there was a god that looked after them and that there was nothing to worry about. Catholicism is the most common religion in Voltaire and is seen with respect but challenged nevertheless. Voltaire used satire to describe many religious figures' attitudes and to emphasize comments made about them. Religion is seen as hypocrite where people pretended to be what more than they really were and blamed their religion for their problems and actions. In fact, social status was valuated more harshly than profession and actions and was required for acceptance at times:" would you have the impudence to marry my sister who has seventy-two quarterings! " Although religion can be considered fake, it certainly played a big role in the novel impacting everyone's lives and interacting with social and economic classes. It made some better people in principles and morals but eased others the life of sin. Religion undisputedly corrupt, numerous resources and financial availability was used for personal gain and benefit even when it religion was so important at that time. Many did not trust each other or the beliefs; the orator's wife, putting her head out of the window, spied a man "that doubted whether the Pope was Anti-Christ, poured over him a full.


Essays Related to Religion in Voltaire

1. Voltaire and Candide

The most determined researchers will agree that war does nothing but bring more war to a civilization or religion. ... Voltaire's thought on war reflect his liberal thought on thinkers, like philosophers who preceded him; Voltaire contributions to the enlightenment age does not depend on his originality or lack of it. ... The notebook of Voltaire with his indications of war with ideas in 1755, in France Voltaire was known as the greatest living dramatist. In his notebook, Voltaire was viewed as artistic with his writings; "L'art de 1a guerre eS.t comme ce1ui de la medecine, meurtrier...

  • Word Count: 511
  • Approx Pages: 2

2. Voltaire

Perhaps one of the most controversial topics of the time was religion. ... Voltaire attacks religion and views it as a negative thing throughout L'Ingenu. The old view of religion was that God was divine and ruled the world. ... There is sense hypocrisy told in the story when Voltaire attacks the church. ... Voltaire criticizes old views and religion and through the Child of Nature suggests possible solutions. ...

  • Word Count: 981
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3. Voltaire v. Rousseau

Voltaire's Candide is an example of Voltaire's view on education. ... Voltaire criticize this by saying if this is the best of all possible worlds, then why should any one try to alleviate suffering? ... Voltaire characterizes the Oreillons as representatives of "pure nature" several times. ... He opposed the theater which was Voltaire's true passion, shunned the aristocracy which Voltaire courted. ... (accepting the existence of god and of hereafter, but rejecting the intricacies of Christian theology) Which eventually transformed European religion and had powerful influences o...

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4. Voltaire

The majority of Voltaire's views and philosophies were on religion. ... According to Voltaire a theist "believes that religion consists of neither in the opinions of incomprehensible metaphysics nor in vain decorations, but in adoration and justice- (qtd. in Durant, Durant 717). ... Voltaire was extremely against the Christian religion. ... Another reason he hated the Christian religion shows in his view of church priest. ... Oddly enough, despite his constant attacks on the Christian religion, on March 31, 1769, Voltaire signed an affirmation that he wished to die in the Catholic religio...

  • Word Count: 1342
  • Approx Pages: 5
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5. Novel Summary - Candide

In a highly opinionated and humorous novel "Candide", Voltaire explores many important concepts such as power, wealth, love, philosophy, religion, education, and optimism. ... By truly looking into the underlying themes of religion, society/class, and optimism within this interesting story, we can begin to compare and deconstruct today's society by Voltaire's views. ... Voltaire often depicts religion as corrupt and mocks it. ... Voltaire wants us to see that religion really is not as sacred as it appears and maybe even more detrimental to humans. ... In Candide, Voltaire w...

  • Word Count: 837
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6. candide

The ax of Voltaire's pen fell upon philosophies, religion, current events, and even people with whom he did not agree. ... Voltaire created several hypocritical religious figures more concerned with themselves than the masses or their religion. ... Voltaire included several conflicts between and within the Muslim, Jesuit, and Jewish religions. The recurring examples of the havoc that religious intolerance created illustrate quite clearly the opinion Voltaire held concerning organized religion. ... "Can there be two religions? ...

  • Word Count: 1386
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7. Ranges of Satire in Candide

Voltaire satirizes many points in Candide such as philosophy, war, and religion. ... Voltaire also uses satire when he references religion in Candide. He mock religion because he believed that religious organizations were corrupt. The religion of Candide, and Voltaire, is Deism. ... Voltaire satirizes religion when Candide arrives to the utopian society of El Dorado. ...

  • Word Count: 2236
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8. Candide by Voltaire

English IV Candide The main theme of Voltaire's novel, Candide, is the criticism of religions and beliefs. Through several religious characters, Voltaire manages to supply readers with enough information to infer his personal feelings on religion. ... Another prime example of Voltaire's criticism of a religion is the Spanish friar who is also a thief that takes the prostitute Paquette as a companion. Other characters that provide reason to infer Candide contains Voltaire's feeling on religion are the Jesuit priest with homosexual tendencies, and the Grand Inquisitor who b...

  • Word Count: 771
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9. The Journey of a Nave Young Man

Though out the story Voltaire uses many events that happen, to satirize institutions, and beliefs of the eighteenth century. ... Toward the beginning of the book Voltaire makes light of the European aristocratic beliefs of that time. ... Voltaire also shows this in the novel when Candide is twice denied his request to marry Cunegonde. ... Voltaire uses the character Pangloss in his parody of all passive philosophers of the eighteenth century, who ponder issues that have no big effect on the world. ... This suggests that Voltaire thinks nothing special of philosophers of that time he sees...

  • Word Count: 407
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

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